What do we mean when we talk about the “Abu Dhabi art scene”? A layperson is unlikely to move beyond the presence of the Louvre Abu Dhabi, on the almost-banally spotless Saadiyat Island, designated as the city’s cultural district. Or Warehouse421, the dynamic port gallery at Mina Zayed, and Manarat al Saadiyat, a museum five minutes away from New York University Abu Dhabi, which has its own shiny art gallery. Despite their frequently impressive multi-layered shows and events, these spaces, with their cool glass exteriors and clinical white walls, are at both a physical and metaphorical remove from the bustle of downtown – the historic streets, alleyways, cafeterias and neighbourhoods teeming with the people and narratives that inspire so much art in Abu Dhabi.
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Amina Yahia
Artist
Abu Dhabi is the perfect place for emerging artists and curators. Its young art scene is inclusive in a way that enables us to experiment boldly within our practices and exceed many creative limitations. Personally, I have found a lot of opportunities for mentorship and growth. There’s a general love of art and a supportive community, which I particularly felt during my time at Bait 15. Artists like Hashel Al Lamki and Maitha Abdalla have been central to my progression as a young artist this past year.
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